Lone Survivor helps to refocus

I’ve just watched Lone Survivor on a flight to Amsterdam, an epic American war film, directed by Peter Berg. It was amazing. Based on a true story, the movie is simultaneously action packed, thrilling and touching.

On the list of my 5CALLS is the desire to produce a book about the armed forces… to shed a light on their work, to collate and expose the work they do, to put these role models on a pedestal where they can be given the applause they deserve. Perhaps this goes back to my wanting to be in the army as a kid, I don’t know...

Up to the first 23 or so minutes of Lone Survivor, I felt I’d still love to be part of that tight inner circle of adventure, love and adrenaline, to share their connection, that great sense of camaraderie. Spending some time with these incredible people and turning it into a story telling book would be a truly amazing and humbling assignment.

But beyond those 23 minutes, a chopper drops the boys off up high in the Afghan mountains and the harsh reality of their world kicks in. When the bullets start flying overhead, it’s real, just kick ass, insane stuff that you and I will never be able to grasp. Damn, we live in a strange world… it’s just so insanely messed up at times.

Anyway, with an imposed height limit of two meters, I was too tall to join the army… perhaps no bad thing if beyond that 23 minutes is what I have to go by.